STAYCATION HAUL! YAY!!!!! February 25, 2011

*Ahhhhhhh!*

That is the sound of a woman who has enjoyed a whole week off from work.  I have needed this break since my last real break, in the summer of 2010.  No trip, but I did plenty of shopping. This was a good time to shop, because many sites were offering 50% off already reduced prices.  I took advantage of every deal, I could reasonably afford. 

I started with Ashley Stewart‘s 25%  sale last weekend.  I picked up one regular priced item and one clearance item.  Here is a pic of the cute khaki, moto style jacket I got from Ashley Stewart’s .

Ashley Stewarts Asymetrical Zip Blazer-Cute! Looks good on!

After Ashley Stewart, Roamans had the unmitigated gaul to send me a notice that they were giving me a % off and free shipping.  Here are some pics of what I got from Roamans site.

Roamans La Redoute Sculptered Dress-Didn't get the dress in gray, but in Fuschia. I haven't tried on yet, but I have high hopes! *grin*

 

Roamans Charcoal Blanket Sweater-Looking forward to wearing this with leggings/jeggings in the spring!

 

I then moved on to Bag, Borrow, and Steal. This is the sister site of Avelle.  Avelle rents designer handbags, but BBOS sells new and pre-owned designer bags.  Well, I get their emails and came across this Juicy Couture handbag for a nice price (I had a discount code, too. *cha-ching*)

Bag, Borrow, and Steal Juicy Couture China C Leather Handbag-It is not as purple as the photo and I am grateful. The patina on it is so retro and chic! I love it and started carrying it today.

I was not finished! Oh, no! I had to get some shoes. *sistah girl look*  I got some leopard print pumps from DOTS and these cute shoes from DSW Warehouse.

DSW Kelis Pump-How cute are these?!

Lastly, I hit one of my favorite sites, Alloy.  They had a great clearance sale and I missed out on some things by one day, but I did pick up some cute pieces. 

Alloy Giovanna Puff Sleeve Dress-Haven't decided if I will wear with belt or not.

Alloy Gabriella Dolman-Cute on and blousy. Can't wait to wear!

 

Alloy-Chinese Laundry Midnight Skinny Jean/Cute, but a little low rise and loose in the waist. I will need a belt.

 

Whew! Just writing about this stuff has tuckered me out.  I only have the weekend and then back to the saltmine.  Let me get off of this computer and into my bed with some ice water and a bag of Better Made chips. TTYL!

School of Rock! January 25, 2011

Yeah, I titled this post, School of Rock. It’s a stretch, but…..*shrug*  This is just a quick OOTD post of what I wore to work today.  This outfit was inspired by a blogger’s OOTD post I viewed some weeks ago and unfortunately *mega sad face*I can’t remember which blogger it was, so I can’t give proper credit. 

She had on the same skirt and I had recently picked up the skirt in the colors black and blue at Macy’s.  I can’t wait until spring, because I want to try a color block thing with the blue skirt.   Anywhoo, I work in the local schools and I try to be different, fun, and cute without pushing the envelope on appropriateness. 

You can't really see the ID bracelet, but it is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. It says MUSIC (how appropriate, now that I think about it *smug look*) and it is made by Harajuku Lovers.

This is my take on her look (I feel so bad, that I can’t remember who’s site it was *mega, mega sad face*). *side note* I have been playing with the computer and image effects on my pics, but what I realized today is that I am really trying to hide my disgust with the fact that my hair is not………………………………..UGH!  I hate my hair right now. So, my pics are in sepia tones. Yada, yada, yada.  TTYL!



Rockin' my outfit! Faux leather jkt-Dots, scarf-Ashley Stewarts, INC turtleneck-Macy's, INC tiered ruffle skirt-Macy's, tights-Ashley Stewart, Moto Boots-DSW, Bamboo Hoops-Pawn Shop, Belt-borrowed from a dress

Still working on how to pose *shrug*.

HAPPY NEW YOU!!!!! January 3, 2011

OMGoodness!!!! It has been almost a month since I posted and I feel really bad!  I have been really busy at my part-time job (the retailer that shall not be named) and when I say busy, I mean busy.  Almost 40 hours a week, in addition to my full-time job.  That should explain my last post.  There was so much more I could have added to that list, but the holidays are over and I won’t go there.

Anywhoo.  I had a wonderful holiday with family and friends and the new year is looking promising.  2010 had its ups and downs, but all in all, God was with me.  I lost weight in 2010, started working on my Masters in Counseling, watched my daughter graduate from high school and go off to her first year of college, and turned 40.  I am speaking success and victory in my life, in every area.  I am feeling good about myself and feel like now, unlike in my youth, I know who I am and I love who I am. :^)  It is a blessing to have a good self-concept, high self-esteem, confidence, and a positive outlook on life.  I know who I am and I am a happy new me!

Ok, now on to my next favorite subject after myself;  fashion and shopping.

The perk of working retail, is you get a first look at upcoming trends, incoming items, and…………………… sale and clearance items.  I will be honest, I shop while I work.  I am constantly on the lookout for things that are being reduced and *Billy Bob Thornton in Slingblade voice* ……I done good, this season!

I will of course be posting pics and I will be posting a new Deo Volente list, real soon.

I am going to kick off the year with some pics from my aunt’s retirement party and my New Year’s Eve outfit.

The dress I wore to my aunt’s retirement party is one of my favorite dresses, that I have had for a couple of years.  It is a classic example of the perks you get working in retail.  This dress was designed similar to some Calvin Klein and Tahari dresses that were in the store the season I bought it and I watched and waited for it to go on sale.  It did and I got it for less than $30.  The picture may not show how the skirt is khaki with a metallic sheen.  The dress is sleeveless and I love to wear it with a black cardigan.  This particular evening, I did something different and wore fishnet stockings with my BCBG peeptoe pumps. *side note* I LOVE BCBG shoes!!!! They are so comfortable!   I carried a little black and gold clutch I got from ForLove 21 for about $5.

Retirement party for my Aunt-December 11, 2010.

 

Me and my Mom at Aunt's retirment party

 

*please note-my NYE pics were taken on a camera phone, so…….LOL!*

My NYE outfit. Corduroy Leggings-Hue, Wedge Booties-Nine West, Tank-Ashley Stewart, Jacket-American Rag

 

The detailing on this jacket is so cute!!! :^( I wish I had better photos, but I will be wearing it quite often and I have it in gray, too.

I hate that you can’t get a good look at my outfit, because it is SUPER CUTE!  I wore it to work and then to church for our NYE party.  It is another example of items hitting your department and you snag them.  A couple of the items I have on, were dirt cheap. 

Well…………I hope everyone had a great holiday season and I pray 2011 brings you joy, peace, success, happiness,  and takes you to a new level in every facet of your life.  Remember, the Lord loves you and I do, too!  HAPPY NEW YOU and HAPPY NEW YEAR!  TTYL!

Don’t Mess with My TuTu! November 30, 2010

This is a quick post.  I finally wore my ASOS Curve Asymetric Tutu skirt.  I so LOVE it and I wore it to work (at the retailer that shall not be named).  I rocked it with a black tank, faux leather moto jacket, moto style boots, and black tights.  I got so many compliments (and sales *sly grin*)! These pics are not the best, but I want to thank my daughter for taking them for me.  I WILL  be wearing the skirt again real soon and I will post better pictures.  Ta-ta!

Tutu skirt-ASOS Curve, Faux Leather Moto Jacket-Dots, Black Tank-Ross for Less, Etienne Aigner Moto Style Boots-DSW, Tights-Ashley Stewart

Once you go Black………… November 18, 2010

*big sigh* I really thought I was looking cute when I wore this outfit the other day (*giggle* I did look cute), but looking at the photos below,  I had an epiphany.  I need to add some more color to my wardrobe.

Black is my favorite color and a requirement for my part-time retail job (at the retailer that must not be named).  I back off of it in summer months and wear all white.   However, my fall/winter wardrobe is 90% black.  In the next few weeks, I am going to make a concerted effort to add some color to my closet.  What’s your favorite color?

My all black, as usual. LOL! Jacket-Ralph Lauren, Pants-Gap Premium Collection, Turtleneck-Lane Bryant, Shoes-Nine West, Chandelier Earrings-ForLove21

 

I love these shoes!!!

Outside the Box November 15, 2010

This is just a quick post.

Think outside the box, is a very popular cliche in the business world.  It exhorts workers, managers, ceo’s, etc., to stray from the conventional and the norm; be creative and innovative.  Well, the same can be said about fashion and shopping.  Many of us fall into habits when it comes to how we dress, how we wear our hair, what colors we wear and so on.  I admit sometimes I can get into a fashion rut and routine. 

However, I love to follow trends and decide which trends I can successfully apply to my wardrobe or look.  That means thinking outside of the box and searching for places or in places, that may have trendy items in my size (Not always easy. I have a post coming up about the Tuxedo Jacket.  SMH for real, but I haven’t given up hope.).  I look in places that are not mainstream or are geared towards people not in my demographic (my demographic: old, oldlike, oldish, older, olden). 

You may know that one of my favorite spots is Alloy, and as mentioned in another post, Alloy is really for the young whippersnappers.  I shop there anyway. *shrug*  Now.  I found ChicStar on another bloggers page and it is definitely not geared towards me;  it is for people interested in gothic and punk dress and lifestyle.  I love it, though. 

Here are two pieces from ChicStar that I think are adorable:

Punk Gothic Jacket

Flounce Ruched Ruffle Belt Shirt

 

What do you think?  Do you have any suggestions for a store or website, that I can peruse for funky, quirky, cheap, and/or unique items?  Let me know.

*squeeeeaalll!!!! My first OOTD! October 26, 2010

OOTD/Turtleneck-Lane Bryant (many, many years ago), Faux Leather Biker Jacket-Target (last year), Alfani Knit Pencil Skirt with Faux Leather Inserts-Macy's, Riding Boots-Target (last year), Purse-Coach, Silver Bamboo Hoop earrings-Pawn Shop

OOTD

Trying to show off my polish.

This is my first OOTD!  OMG!!!!  I wore this outfit to work today and in case you didn’t know, my favorite color is black. 

 

I loveeeee (pronounced lovey) my biker jacket!  When I saw it at Target last year, I had to have it.  I wear it all of the time and you will probably see it several times in future OOTD posts.  The skirt was a steal at Macy’s (with a coupon on top of the sale price).   I am also carrying one of my favorite bags from Coach.  It is my basic, black leather, go-to, purse.

 

*exasperated sigh*I wish you guys could get a good look at my polish; it is a VERY pretty dark purple polish by OPI.  It’s called Y Not Party.

 

Can’t wait to do another OOTD post.  Trying to put together an outfit with my new Tutu from ASOS.  It was waiting for me when I got home from work today.  I am feeling leather, sequins, and fishnets with the Tutu, but we will see. 

Well, i’m off to do some homework.  TTYL.